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LONDON – Cristiano Ronaldo has left Manchester United with immediate effect, the club has confirmed in a 67-word statement.
Ronaldo’s exit has been agreed by mutual consent, although it is unclear at this stage if the 37-yearold Portugal star has been sacked or received any compensation for the remaining seven months of his £500 000-a-week contract at Old Trafford.
United’s lawyers have been looking to tear it up since Ronaldo’s explosive interview with Piers Morgan aired in two parts last week.
A terse statement released yesterday evening read: ‘‘Cristiano Ronaldo is to leave Manchester United by mutual agreement, with immediate effect.
‘‘The club thanks him for his immense contribution across two spells at Old Trafford, scoring 145 goals in 346 appearances, and wishes him and his family well for the future.
‘‘Everyone at Manchester United remains focused on continuing the team’s progress under Erik ten Hag and working together to deliver success on the pitch.’’
Ronaldo released his own statement following the news, writing: ‘‘Following conversations with Manchester United, we have mutually agreed to end our contract early.
‘‘I love Manchester United and I love the fans, that will never ever change. However, it feels like the right time for me to seek a new aftermath of his explosive interview with Piers Morgan.
Oddschecker believe a return to Portugal with Sporting is the most likely step for Ronaldo at 3/1.
Premier League rivals Chelsea are next in the betting market at 4/1.
Blues owner Todd Boehly expressed an interest in the summer
RUGBY
Conversations
LONDON – Even a victory over Australia on Saturday might not be enough for Wayne Pivac to save his job after he presided over one of the ‘darkest days’ in Welsh rugby history.
Wales’ 13-12 defeat by Georgia in Cardiff last weekend means their head coach Pivac has now won only three of 11 Tests in 2022. Wales have lost to both Italy and Georgia this year. Pivac’s assistant Neil Jenkins yesterday described the Georgia loss as ‘absolutely horrific’ and admitted the pressure was on Wales to bounce back against the Wallabies.
Sportsmail understands Pivac’s position as Wales boss is now under significant threat. challenge.
‘‘I wish the team every success for the remainder of the season and for the future.’’
Ronaldo’s position at the club became untenable after he criticised the club, the Glazers, manager Erik ten Hag and his teammates in the interview.
United wanted to deal with Ronaldo as swiftly as possible and took just four days to show him the door. However, the club were reluctant to become embroiled in an unseemly court battle with one of their greatest ever players.
The Glazers, chief executive Richard Arnold, football director John Murtough and Ten Hag decided that Ronaldo has burnt his bridges at Old Trafford and there is no way back for him at the club. and spoke with Ronaldo’s agent Jorge Mendes, but then manager Thomas Tuchel vetoed the move.
A move across the Atlantic with any MLS club including David Beckham’s Inter Miami is offered at 6/1, ahead Bayern Munich (17/2).
Ronaldo’s exit has been agreed by mutual consent.
CRICKET
LONDON – England’s unloved one-day series in Australia came to a suitably dismal conclusion yesterday when they lost the third game at Melbourne by a rain-adjusted 221 runs – the heaviest defeat in their history.
As England’s batsmen slumped to 142 all out in response to the Australians’ powerful 355 for five from 48 overs, the contrast with the T20 World Cup final at the same venue nine days earlier could hardly have been more telling. Then, more than 80 000 spectators – most of them Pakistani – turned the MCG into a cauldron. Now, barely 4 000 turned up for a series that should never have been scheduled in the first place. It doesn’t even count for the ICC’s Super League. And England bowled and batted as if they knew it.
Interest
Their lack of interest was summed up by Jos Buttler, who should have spent the last week and more back home with his family, basking in the satisfaction of captaining his country to World Cup success.
Now, facing his third ball, he aimed a tired leg-side swipe at the leg-spin of Adam Zampa and spooned a simple catch to Marcus Stoinis at point. Chris Woakes was given lbw first ball to the googly, and when Moeen Ali picked out long-off in Zampa’s next over, England were 95 for seven.
The worst thing about it was that no one seemed especially fussed. Even Zampa – who had figures of three for three – appeared underwhelmed.